By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
April 19, 2018
MEDIA, PA—Delaware County Community College (5-8-1 Overall, 3-2-1 NJCAA Region XIX Division III, 3-1-1 EPAC) freshman second baseman Brian O'Neill went four-for-six (including two doubles and a triple) and a RBI as the Phantoms defeated the Manor College Blue Jays (2-11, 1-10, 0-4), 20-13.
Manor scored in the top of the first. Freshman second baseman Jose Romero (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford) singled to right with one out off of sophomore starting pitcher Christopher Caltabiano. Romero stole second and scored on a freshman first baseman Hector Morales (Philadelphia, PA/Esperanza Charter) two-out double to center. The Phantoms scored in six of the eight innings they came to bat. They scored twice in the bottom of the first on sophomore designated hitter Ben Mutz' two-out double to right.
Delaware County added to its lead with three runs in the second. Freshman second baseman Takuya Ikeda contributed a one-out RBI single to left and sophomore third baseman Jorge Rodriguez added a two-out, RBI double to left. The Phantoms scored four in the third. Ikeda and sophomore center fielder Tyler Butz contributed consecutive two-out RBI singles.
The Blue Jays scored in the top of the fifth. Freshman center fielder Abdur-Rauf Mujahid (Philadelphia, PA/Boys Latin) walked with one out stole second and advanced to third on a Caltabiano wild pitch. Freshman third baseman Sauriel Baez' (Philadelphia, PA/Esperanza Charter) two-out double to center scored Mujahid. Delaware County scored seven in the bottom of the fifth, sending 11 batters to the plate.
Manor answered in the top of the sixth, scoring seven runs, sending 11 batters to the plate, including nine straight that reached safely with two out. The two-out rally began with three straight walks by freshman designated hitter Jorge Reyes (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast), relief pitcher Jeffrey Salcedo (Philadelphia, PA/Mariana Bracetti), and catcher Samuel Pena (Philadelphia, PA/Liceo Vespertino Pedro MIR [DR]). Mujahid's double to left off of relief pitcher Rodriguez cleared the bases. Romero's triple to right scored Mujahid. Baez walked and Morales single to right scored Romero and advanced Baez to second. Rodriguez' wild pitch moved Baez to third and Morales to second. Freshman shortstop Nicholas Herrera's (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford) single scored Baez and Morales. Delaware County scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth on O'Neill's two-out, two-run triple to center.
The Blue Jays scored twice in the top of the seventh. Reyes led off with an infield single to third off of sophomore relief pitcher Dominic Ervin. Salcedo singled to left, moving Reyes to second. Mujahid reached on an O'Neill missed catch error on a force attempt scored Reyes on the play. Baez' two-out single to center scored Salcedo. Delaware County finished its scoring in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two one-out runs on successive plays on a freshman catcher Gabriel Frigiola sacrifice bunt and an Ikeda infield single to short.
Manor scored single runs in the eighth and ninth. Freshman left fielder Trevor Schmanek (Philadelphia, PA/St. Joseph's Prep) reached on a one-out, infield single to third. Reyes reached on a sophomore shortstop Thomas Donahue error which advanced Schmanek to second on the play. Salcedo walked to load the bases. Pena's two-out sacrifice fly to freshman right fielder Corey Woodcock scored Schmanek. Baez walked with one out in the ninth and advanced to second on an Ervin balk. Herrera's two-out single to right scored Baez.
Batting Leaders: Romero went three-for-six (including a triple), a RBI, and a stolen base. Baez went two-for-three (including a double), three walks, two runs scored, two RBI. Herrera had three RBI, two hits, and two stolen bases. Mujahid contributed three RBI, two runs, and a stolen base. Morales added two hits (including a double) and two RBI. Salcedo scored and walked twice each and stole a base. Reyes scored two runs and stole a base for the Blue Jays.
Ikeda went three-for-four with three RBI, two walks, and two stolen bases. Fragiola scored four runs and walked three times. Landholm scored and walked three times each. Ben Mutz contributed three RBI and two walks. Rodriguez added two hits (including a double), two runs, and two RBI. Butz knocked in two runs. Thomas Donahue scored two runs and walked twice for the Phantoms.
Pitching Leaders: Caltabiano (2-1) pitched six innings for the victory, striking out six for Delaware County.
Next Game: Manor hosts NJCAA Division and EPAC Division III Lehigh Carbon Community College (7-12 Overall, 3-2 NJCAA Region XIX Division III, 2-1 EPAC) on Friday, April 20 at 3:30 p.m. the Abington Friends School in Jenkintown Pennsylvania. The Cougars won the previous match-up, 14-3, in seven innings, on Saturday, April 14, in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.